Start 1861: I Just Inherited the Dutch Throne

The German Empire denied that the captured middle-aged woman "Mrs. Duff" was their spy who had been deployed in the Netherlands for 11 years. On the contrary, it expressed its dissatisfaction with the Dutch frame-up.

"We are dissatisfied with any malicious judgment made by the Netherlands against us. We have always regarded the Netherlands as our good friend and good partner. The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued such a statement about the relationship between the two countries, which is very harmful to the feelings of the people of the German Empire. We once again appeal to the Netherlands not to do anything that would make the German Empire hate the Netherlands, never”

The above was the statement of German Prime Minister Bismarck on this incident just after returning to Berlin from London.

The Netherlands was naturally unwilling to be slandered by Germany.

Dutch Foreign Minister Beit said in Melbourne, "All statements made by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs are based on real evidence. We will not wrong anyone, but we will not visit any foreign bad guy who harms the interests of the Netherlands. We advise some people not to continue." It harms the national interests of the Netherlands. If you continue to do this, be careful to shoot yourself in the foot. The gain will outweigh the loss."

The foreign ministries of the two countries began to quarrel over the espionage incident.

In the end, the two countries began to recall the heads of their respective embassies.

At the same time, the Netherlands and Germany are not the only ones in this world. There are other countries that are also engaged in politics to safeguard national interests.

On November 25, 1881, Milyutin, the Minister of Defense of the Tsarist Empire, met with Bryan, the ambassador of the Second French Empire to Tsarist Russia, in St. Petersburg. He said: "The Tsarist Russian Empire hopes that the Second French Empire will continue to be strong. The two countries need to work side by side to overcome difficulties together."

The government of Paris, the capital of the Second French Empire, immediately responded positively and stated that it had invited Alexander III and Gorchakov, who had just successfully visited Melbourne, the Netherlands, and returned to the Red Sea in the northwest Indian Ocean to visit Paris to discuss the plans for the two countries.

There is no hate without reason, and there is no love without reason.

Naturally, the Tsarist Russian Empire would not suddenly show favor to the Second French Empire, and the Second French Empire would not respond immediately as soon as it received a friendly message from St. Petersburg.

Here, at least they have been communicating secretly for a long time before they have such a tacit understanding of public contact.

At this time, no one will take the former Dutch Foreign Minister Joseph Beit's announcement on the radio to win over the French Second Empire and make it a new ally when Britain, Germany and Austria confront the Netherlands and Russia, and stand on the side of the Netherlands and Russia.

Many people expressed doubts before, but now it seems to be getting closer to the Dutch goal.

This interaction between France and Russia obviously means that on the one hand, Bryan's mission was successful, Tsarist Russia succeeded in wooing France, and the Netherlands and Russia did it.

On the other hand, it shows that Britain and Austria-Hungary failed. The Second French Empire obviously outperformed Britain because of its fear and worry about the German Empire. Moreover, the Gallic chickens have always compared themselves to Britain, and sometimes even looked down on Germany. Now Paris has been afraid of Berlin for many years. This is something that Napoleon III can't stand up for in his life. Now 72 years old, he is no longer willing to bear this shame and die. Therefore, his resistance is actually expected by many people.

On November 27, 1881, French Emperor Napoleon III, who was in Paris, stated, “We believe that Bulgaria is related to the interests of Tsarist Russia and should not be decided hastily by Austria-Hungary and the British Ottomans. Therefore, we are willing to discuss Bulgaria with Tsarist Russia. The new king has been chosen and we will cooperate.”

Napoleon III's stance further aligned the Netherlands and Russia and further alienated Britain, Austria, and Germany.

This caused dissatisfaction in the political circles in London, and some members of the opposition party and the ruling party even publicly stated that Britain should check and balance the Second French Empire and agreed with Berlin's approach. The Paris government of the Second French Empire should not be allowed to control the divided French Second Empire in the south. The Lyon government of the Three Republics carried out unification and prevented the North from unifying the South.

In this regard, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Second French Empire naturally refuted, "We are sad that the British government allows members of Parliament to openly discuss the issue of French national unification. As an old friend of France, Britain actually openly discusses such an obvious attempt to split France. This is immoral, a provocation to the Second French Empire, and an insult to all French people. We seriously look forward to expressing our dissatisfaction with the British. Just now, our government has telegraphed We have sent a letter of protest to the Gladstone Government in London. At the same time, our French Emperor Napoleon III has also sent a royal letter of protest to Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom. We must ask the British government and the royal family to clarify this matter. Attitude, otherwise we won’t give up.”

The reaction of the Second French Empire exceeded the British expectations. It actually issued a letter of protest directly to the government and royal family. This was the highest level of diplomatic action and exceeded the previous verbal abuses and quarrels between the foreign ministries of various countries.

Apparently, the French were annoyed when it came to the question of unifying France.

This fire even burned into the Third French Republic in power in Lyon, which was trying to split in the south.

This was something Bismarck did not expect. After all, the French value dignity, and although there are many conflicts within France, they all occur from the unified perspective of the French. Now that Britain has publicly expressed its support for the secession of France, this is a touch. It reaches the reverse scale deep in the French people's hearts. As a result, both the Second French Empire in the north and the Third French Republic in the south were angry.

As a result, they condemned the United Kingdom and expressed that they did not welcome any move to split France. A survey conducted by "European Times" among a total of 100,000 legal persons in various cities showed that more than 95% of French people in France expressed their unwillingness to see France split. 75% of French people are disgusted with Britain because of this statement, and 90% of French people are hostile to Germany.

The original favorable opinion of Austria-Hungary was more than the unfavorable one, and now the unfavorable opinion of Austria-Hungary is 61%. The favorable impression is only 39%.

Under such circumstances, on November 29, 1881, the Third French Republic in power in Lyon in southern France expressed that it did not want France to split. President Francois Grevy stated that there would not be two Frances or France. Split into two countries and condemned Britain's interference in France's internal affairs.

Francois Grevy can't do this if he doesn't make such a statement. The Lyon government that is now clearly ruling has been questioned by the people. It was originally considered by many people to be the puppets of the German Empire. If it doesn't take a stand now, and with the The British delivered, and soon the people's will was to become the puppet of London, which they also called Britain. In this way, in the end, it may directly contribute to the consolidation of Germany and Austria's careless rule of Paris in the south, and his side will lose the basis of public opinion.

Anti-British is the correct politics for all French people now.